The Blinds are forced bets that are posted by the 2 players to the left of the dealer button before the cards are dealt. It is the blinds that determine the stakes of the game.
Small Blind
A forced bet made by the player to the immediate left of the dealer button. After the cards are dealt, if action arrives on the player in the Small Blind and no raise has been made by any other player in the hand, the player will need to call or raise in order to continue in the hand.
Big Blind
A forced bet made by the player to the immediate left of the Small Blind and two to the left of the dealer button. After the cards are dealt, if action arrives on the player in the Big Blind and no raise has been made by any other player in the hand, the player will have the option to either raise by at least an additional big blind, or check to continue in the hand.
Missed Blinds
In a cash game, if you are sat out and miss your blinds, you will need to re-post them should you wish to rejoin play before you arrive at the big blind again. Big blinds and small blinds are forced bets, so they must be paid by everyone equally. In cases, where players may only miss their small blind, then the small blind will only need to be posted.
In SNG Select game types, if you are sat out, blinds will continue to be posted for you, and you will continue to take the most passive action (check or fold), until you sit back in.
Blinds During Heads Up Play
When play goes down to 2 players at the table (“Heads-Up”), the player on the dealer button pays the small blind, with the other player paying the big blind. Play would then proceed with the player on the button acting first before the flop, and last after the flop.